MX23RW : Monday, June 29 06:55:15| >> :600:391386:391386:

FA Cup draw to have only one guest due to coronavirus measures

FA Cup draw to have only one guest due to coronavirus measures
© Reuters
Single guest and disinfected balls for first Covid era draw, on Sunday.

The first Covid-secure FA Cup draw will take place on Sunday, with just one guest instead of the usual two pairing up the teams.

The PA news agency has learned that the presenter and the guest making the semi-final draw will keep at least two metres apart in accordance with Government social distancing guidelines.

The traditional velvet bag and balls will still be used, but all necessary equipment will have been thoroughly disinfected.

St James' Park will be the stage for the first FA Cup draw since the coronavirus pandemic struck the UK
St James' Park will be the stage for the first FA Cup draw since the coronavirus pandemic struck the UK (Laurence Griffiths/NMC Pool/PA)

In normal circumstances two guests would be involved to draw the home and away teams, even though the semi-finals will be played at Wembley.

Full details of the semi-final draw will be confirmed by the Football Association on Thursday, but it is understood it will take place outside at St James' Park, at half-time in the quarter-final match between Newcastle and Manchester City on Sunday evening.

The main presentation panel will also be in an outside position at the ground, the first time the BBC panel will have been on site rather than in a studio at Media City in Salford since professional football restarted earlier this month.

On-site crew will be kept to a minimum via the use of a remote production in Salford.

ID:403719:
Latest coronavirus PSA banner

Coronavirus outbreak - Click here for more stories

Share this article now:
A general shot of the FA Cup trophy ahead of the 2019 final on May 18, 2019
Read Next:
FA Cup final to be watched by 20,000 fans?
>
Latest Sports Video
Did you know...?
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.

rhs 2.0
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool31282170214986
2Manchester CityMan City31203877334463
3Leicester CityLeicester31167859293055
4Chelsea31166955411454
5Wolverhampton WanderersWolves321313645341152
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd311310848311749
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs31129105041945
8Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd31111193031-144
9Arsenal31101384341243
10Crystal Palace31119112836-842
11Burnley31126133545-1042
12Everton31118123846-841
13Southampton32124164155-1440
14Newcastle UnitedNewcastle31109122942-1339
15Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton31712123441-733
16Watford32610162949-2028
17West Ham UnitedWest Ham3176183554-1927
18Bournemouth3176182950-2127
19Aston Villa3276193660-2427
20Norwich CityNorwich3156202556-3121

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!